NREL and CubicPV set perovskite minimodule efficiency record

The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), together with CubicPV, has produced a perovskite minimodule with a 24.0% certified efficiency.

According to NREL, it's a new US record for the perovskite minimodule category, with the previous record of 23.9% published in May 2025.

Perovskites, created using a low-temperature, ink-based printing or vacuum coating process, has proven to be efficient at small scale, explains NREL in a release.

The team is therefore focused on research to improve durability and efficiency on larger-area devices, making perovskites commercially viable, and thereby diversifying the solar supply chain.

The partners contributed unique expertise to the research.

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Boston-based CubicPV focuses on tandem solar devices that capture more photons and can lower the cost of energy.

NREL’s focus is on advancing manufacturing, durability, and efficiency of perovskite-enabled tandems.

Kai Zhu, a senior scientist in NREL's Chemistry and Nanoscience Center, commented on the achievement: “It’s really the strength from both parties that creates the environment for record setting...Both teams can achieve great results —but collaboration amplifies our impact and sets new device benchmarks.”

Adam Lorenz, chief technology officer of CubicPV explained that the team will now focus on producing larger perovskite modules and demonstrating durable performance outdoors.

Lorenz added: “We are committed to leveraging US technical leadership and collaborating with the top researchers in the world to drive cutting-edge perovskite science toward scalable, commercially viable, and durable products.”